LSU played without guard Anthony Hickey and forward Johnny O’Bryant. Hickey was “disciplined” as announced Thursday by coach Johnny Jones. O’Bryant was held out as a precautionary measure after injuring a leg in the Marquette game.

“I’m really pleased with our guys’ effort and the focus that they had the two days that we were back (from Christmas break) here at practice and tonight,” Jones said. “Then, when you have the distractions with the (O’Bryant) injury and Hickey not playing tonight, I thought those guys did a great job of focusing. ... Then, we really started off the second half and did an excellent job of rebounding, defending and executing our offense and pushing our lead out there.”

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